WOMEN'S HOCKEYTHERE ARE no new caps in Gene Muller's squad for next month's trip to Argentina but the coach has included two of his more recent call-ups, Niamh Atcheler and Anna O'Flanagan, who join UCD club-mate Chloe Watkins in the panel, reward for their contributions to the students' impressive start to the season.
The squad will spend 11 days in Buenos Aires, where they will play in two four nations tournaments, against the hosts, India and South Africa.
Earlier this week Muller learnt Ireland had been drawn in March’s Olympic qualifier in Belgium, something of a financial relief when Japan in April had seemed the more likely destination.
Spain are the only nation in the qualifier ranked above Ireland, with Belgium, Russia, France and Mexico completing the line-up.
“Now that we know we are in the Belgium qualifier our preparation time is short so the two four nations tournaments come at the right time for us in our preparation cycle,” said Muller.
“We are leaving behind more than 300 Test caps worth of experience with Emma Clarke, Emma Smyth, and Nikki Symmons unavailable. These tournaments do give us a chance to see less experienced players against top-class opponents before settling on our Olympic qualifying team.”
The latter rounds of the Irish Hockey League and Irish Senior Cup have had to be rescheduled because of that March date for the qualifier, so clubs will at least have their internationals back for those ties. They will, though, be missing for league games, Hermes having to make do without their five Irish players while they’re in Argentina.
IRISH SQUAD:S McCarthy, M Crowley, A Connery, E Gray, A O'Flynn (all Hermes), N Atcheler, A O' Flanagan, C Watkins (all UCD), L Colvin, N Daly, N Small (all Loreto), N Evans, A Speers (both Railway Union), S McCay, P Smithwick (both Old Alexandra), H Bowe (Slough), M Harvey (Pegasus), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins).
Leinster League:Division One: Tomorrow – Corinthian v UCD, Whitechurch, 2pm; Old Alexandra v Pembroke Wanderers, Milltown, 2.45; Glenanne v Loreto, St Mark's, 3.15; Three Rock v Hermes, Grange Road, 5pm.
